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Insect Biochem Mol Biol

Title:		Identification of a cis-regulatory element that directs prothoracicotropic hormone gene expression in the silkworm Bombyx mori
Author(s):		Ohtsuka K; Atsumi T; Fukushima Y; Shiomi K;
Address:		"Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan"
Journal Title:		Insect Biochem Mol Biol
Year:		2011
Volume:		20110213
Issue:		6
Page Number:		356 - 361
DOI:		10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.02.002
ISSN/ISBN:		1879-0240 (Electronic) 0965-1748 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In the silkworm Bombyx mori and other insects, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) plays a central role in controlling molting and metamorphosis by stimulating the prothoracic glands to synthesize and release the molting hormone ecdysone. Using an AcNPV (Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus)-mediated transient gene transfer system, we identified a cis-regulatory element that participates in the decision to switch expression of PTTH on or off in PTTH-producing neurosecretory cells (PTPCs). The nucleotide sequence of this cis-regulatory element is similar to a cis-regulatory element that participates in direction of expression of diapause hormone-pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide gene (DH-PBAN) (Shiomi et al., 2007). Furthermore, we found that B. mori Pitx (BmPitx), a bicoid-like homeobox transcription factor, binds the element and activates PTTH expression. Therefore, we propose that the cell-specific expression of two neuropeptide hormone genes, PTTH and DH-PBAN, is activated by the Pitx transcription factor, which may act as a pan-activator in the insect neuroendocrine system and in vertebrate pituitary cells"
Keywords:		"Amino Acid Sequence Animals Base Sequence Bombyx/genetics/*metabolism Cloning, Molecular *Gene Expression Regulation Gene Transfer Techniques Homeodomain Proteins/genetics/*metabolism *Insect Hormones/biosynthesis/genetics Insect Proteins/genetics/*metabo;"
Notes:		"MedlineOhtsuka, Kazunori Atsumi, Tsutomu Fukushima, Yoshihisa Shiomi, Kunihiro eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2011/02/18 Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2011 Jun; 41(6):356-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.02.002. Epub 2011 Feb 13"